River Pilots sink SAGU, 2-1

Powell-Roman goal, defense not enough

Lady Lions host SWCU on Monday, 2pm

WAXAHACHIE, Texas  --  The women’s soccer team at Southwestern Assemblies of God University competitive spirit is alive and well. Saturday they dropped a 2-1 decision to LSU-Shreveport, their fifth one-goal setback this season.

The Lady Lions undying nature is driven by a defense that, like a Venus fly trap, springs its clamps on enemy offenses that threaten to score. Defenders swoop in to clear the lawn.  

Saturday afternoon in temperatures approaching 100, their defensive M.O. (modus operandi)  was vividly displayed. The River Runners outshot them by a 21-10 count, but their number of quality scoring chances were negligible.

It wasn’t until a pair of unmarked players scored for LSUS in the 75th and 76th minutes was the scoreless draw broken.

Nea Sunila lifted an excellent cornerkick that sailed over a crowded goalmouth to Mary Warfield’s awaiting noggin did they manage to erase their goose-egg.

The senior from Lincoln, Nebraska had separated from a Lion defender near the far post, then boinked the ball past a lunging Amber Belisle (Roseville, Cal / Whitney HS), the Southwestern goalie.

Less than two minutes later the guests wore out their welcome with a second tally.

Jaynie Stewart zipped a pass from the left side of the box across the crease to Heather McCutchen. She was wide open on the right, some 15 yards away.

The sophomore from Canyon Lake, Texas gathered the assist, and then blasted a waist-high shot to the right of Belisle for a 2-0 advantage with 13:12 to play.

SAGU responded with a pair of rushes, the latter hitting paydirt.

A handball was called against LSUS, the foul resulting in a penalty kick. The spot kick has a high percentage success rate. It was 100% on Saturday.

Taken from the 12-yard dot, Head Coach Mandy Fortner pointed to Jessica Powell-Roman (Terrell, Tx / Terrell HS). The senior captain buried it, pulling the Purple Pride to within a goal with nearly ten minutes on the clock.

The Pilots, who are 5-3 overall and 2-0 in the Red River Athletic Conference, then circled the wagons to protect their slimmest of margins. SAGU’s best chance came on a through-ball pass to Noelle Pugliese (Lee’s Summit, Mo / Lee’s Summit North HS), but her bid was wide of the post.

Amy Lambdin (Stockton, Cal / Elliot Christian), Gloria Lozano (El Paso, Tx / Socorro HS) and Justine Lopez (Red Oak, Tx / Red Oak HS) all fired shots on goal in the game. LSUS' defense was tighter than the lid on a honey jar. They have held five of their eight opponents to a goal or less.

For Southwestern, their 1-8 start and 0-2 beginning in the RRAC, has shown much better play. A year ago at the same time the squad was 2-7 and 0-2.

This fall, howver, the team has scored 13 through nine games, and have allowed 21 goals. In 2011 they had made 9 goals and permitted 27.

Belisle was very effective between the pipes, saving eight shots and playing with plenty of moxie. The defense blanked Brooke Martin, who racked up 16 scores a year ago. It was the first time the Lady Lions have prevented her from tickling the twine, though she did manage three shots.

Home match on Monday, 2pm

The Lady Lions will return to the pitch on Monday afternoon. Southwestern Christian University will be in town for a 2:00pm contest. The Eagles are 2-3-1.

Next year both SAGU and SCU will join the Sooner Athletic Conference.

Last year the two teams met in Bethany, Oklahoma, with SAGU winning in double-overtime, 1-0, on a goal by Daniela Garcia (Natalie Pena assist).

SCU outshot the Pride by a 25-7 margin, though only 9-7 in shots on goal.

SAGU plays their next five games against RRAC foes, all on the road.

The most challenging stretch of the season starts with a 3:00pm (CST) Thursday clash against Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma. The Warriors are 1-7 overall and 0-2 in league play.

Next Saturday, September 29, the Purple Pride will be in Tyler for a 1pm meeting with Texas College. The Lady Steers are also 1-7 and 0-2.

Southwestern has a chance to add to their victory total over the next week should their offense take advantage of the solid play provided by the defense.

Sophomore netminder Hayley Shingleton (Pasadena, Tx / Deer Park HS) returns to the line-up on Monday, which will send Belisle to her regular role as a forward. The club could be without Lozano, who was knocked to the turf during the play that resulted in Powell's penalty kick.

Pictures of Lions at play

Photos from Saturday's game with LSU-Shreveport are now available to view and/or purchase on-line. Players and fan can check out the work of Steve Patterson, a local freelance photographer from Red Oak.

The website is: http://www.movingpictures.photoreflect.com

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.

Current RRAC Standings